FAQ’S for Students

Does my field instructor know about this drive?

YES! Every field instructor was given information about this drive.

Will I receive academic credit for completing the drive?

No, however, it can be written into your educational contract, and used as part of your field placement hour requirements.

If I work with children, adolescents, or non-citizens how can I participate?

Even though your clients may not be eligible to vote, you can still register the eligible family members of your clients, or staff members at your agency. You can also use this informationto register your family or friends.

If I work with homeless people, can I register them?

YES! Homeless individuals can be registered to vote. Consult with your field instructor about using the agency or site address for clients when filling out the form.

If I work with convicted felons, can I register them?

If they have completed their probation requirements, yes. Contact 1-866-986-8464 (Democracy Works Voting Rights RestorationProject) for specific information.

My agency has told me that it is not legal for them to conduct this drive. What do I say to them?

It is legal for voter registration to be completed at the vast majority of non-profit 501(c)(3) agencies, so long as the activity is non-partisan. If you work for a public social services agency, such as a welfare office, then under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 your agency is required by the government to participate in non-partisan voter registration activities. If you have any questions please check with us at the Institute.

What is non-partisan?

Non-partisan simply means that no political party, candidate, or platform is endorsed or opposed by the voter registration drive. For instance, students or workers registering clients to vote cannot make statements like:

“Register to vote today, and ensure Jane Smith’s victory!”
“Don’t let Representative Jones ruin our community. Vote for change!”

However, students and workers can make the following statements when registering clients to vote:

“Our elected officials make decisions that affect your benefits, and your life every day. By voting you can help in ensuring that the candidate who represents your beliefs is in office.”
“Every vote does count, so please register today.”

How do I complete a voter registration drive?

1) Speak with your field instructor to designate an area in the agency that will serve as the focal point of the drive.
2) Carry out the plan that you and your field instructor have agreed upon for this drive, and have written into your educational contract. Keep in mind registration deadlines, methods of engaging staff members in the drive, and goals of the activity (How many people do you want to register? What issues can be used to engage clients in the activity?).
3) To register clients correctly:
- If you are registering clients for the November 8 th local elections, and would like the Institute to mail the registration cards for you, then return all completed registration forms to the Institute in Room 331 by October 25 th at noon.
- If you or your agency would like to mail the cards yourself and are registering clients for the November 8 th election, the registration cards must be postmarked by October 25 th .
- If you are not registering clients for the November 8 th elections, but for future state and local elections, please hand in all registration cards to Room 331 by November 18 th .
4) Return all unused packet materials to the Institute by November 18 th . What do I do with any registration cards that I do not use? Return any materials that you do not use to IAPSWP in Room 331. They will be recycled for future years.

Who can I contact for any additional questions or comments?

Contact Joanne, Ellen, Lauren, Natalie, or Jen in Room 331, by email at iapswp@uconn.edu , by phone at (860) 570-9262, or on our website at http://www.iapswp.uconn.edu .

WillI have enough time to do this at my field placement?

It takes very little time to actually register someone to vote. This is an activity that can be written into your educational contract and counted toward the attainment of your field education hours. You can make a big change in a short amount of time!